Japanese electronics maker Sony is planning to start buying liquid crystal display (LCD) panels from Sharp Corp to use in its TVs as early as April, a source close to the matter said today. Sony currently runs an LCD panel joint venture with Samsung Electronics, but procurement from Sharp is expected to help it secure enough panels to meet fast-growing LCD TV demand without heavy capital investments. For Sharp, another major LCD TV maker, expanding a pool of customers for its LCD panels is important as it is ramping up its panel production capacity aggressively. A Sony spokesman and a Sharp spokeswoman declined to comment.